http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/p ... 40306/1046

Keep protests far away from Riverside schools


We urge Riverside residents and those who oppose an immigration ordinance not to involve students in the fight.

The street protests that erupted following the adoption of an anti-illegal immigration ordinance in Riverside shouldn't spread to the front doors of township schools.

We urge Riverside Mayor Charles Hilton and the Rev. Miguel Rivera, leader of a Latino clergy association, as well as concerned Riverside parents and other adults, to keep the children out of their differences.

We are encouraged that Hilton has publicly announced the township has no intention of violating federal law by trying to keep out children whose immigrant status is unknown. In response, Rivera said he and his group -- who vehemently oppose the township's ordinance -- might cancel plans to be present for the opening day of school.

They should. Adults who only want to demonstrate for or against the township ordinance ought to stay away from the schools. Don't force the children to carry this baggage into the classrooms, where it could blow up into ethnic intolerance, intimidation and even violence. America has been down this road in the 1960s and 1970s during attempts to integrate schools in the South and North. Nothing good came of such violence and intimidation. There is no reason any parent or other adult should want to repeat history.

Rivera and others say they are concerned that children of immigrant children could be treated unfairly. They specifically object to the township ordinance that fines landlords who knowingly rent to illegal immigrants or employers who hire them.

Township officials complain that recent immigrants -- the township has a rich mix of ethnic groups -- have burdened schools and bumped up crime rates. Yet, looking at the numbers, there is no evidence this has occurred.

Less than 10 percent of Riverside's students come from homes where a language other than English is spoken. In most of those houses, Spanish or Portuguese is spoken. The other languages spoken include Cantonese, Turkish, Serbo-Croatian, Armenian and Polish. By the high school level, English is spoken in nearly 97 percent of the homes.

These numbers indicate that these recent immigrants are treading the path of the immigrants who have come before them seeking a better life. They find work, learn the language and contribute to the community -- if they are allowed to do so.

Because of the animosity generated by the ordinance, the school district should offer lessons in diversity and tolerance soon after school convenes. Superintendent Robert Goldschmidt said the immigration status of students has never been an issue, and he and his administrators should work to ensure that remains the case.

School should be a safe haven where all students feel respected. Although bullying is common in schools, especially at the middle school level, school officials should be extra vigilant to keep the anger expressed by some adults over the township ordinance from escalating this unacceptable behavior.

Let the students learn from history, not repeat it.
Published: September 04. 2006 3:10AM